Preview: [Pretend this is a witty opening written in Simlish]

Is there any video game brand that is as successful as Maxis' Sim universe? From SimCity to The Sims, Will Wright's games have given us control. Control over a bourgeoning metropolis. Control over an ant hill. Control over a golf course. Needless to say, he and his prot?g?s have tapped into the minds of game players for years and with their upcoming sequel, The Sims 3, plan to build on that success.

For those who have played either of the previous iterations of The Sims (and their near-countless expansion packs), The Sims 3 will feel like an extension of what you've played before. Create your Sim (or Sims), build and decorate their house, and futz with every aspect of their life. Work with your Sim and their needs and you could have a successful athlete, scientist, or entertainer on your hands. Work against your Sim ? say by placing them in a windowless and door-less room with no source of food ? and they die. However, The Sims 3 is adding to and improving on several features to take this experience to the next level.

The Sims 3 is taking the accessible, but rudimentary, Sim creation feature from the first two games and is expanding it into an expansive Create-A-Sim function, the likes of which we haven't seen before. A near infinite variety of Sims can be created using the new tools, slider bars, and accessories. Want to create your ex and make their life miserable? You can. Want to create all of your friends and throw a party? You can. The options available in creating your Sim are darn near limitless.

The Create-A-Sim functions are going a step further than just your Sim's appearance, too. In the plans for The Sims 3 is a personality customization tool. You will be able to select from dozens of personality traits and assign five to your Sim. You will finally be able to create the risk-taking daredevil that you've always wanted to be and live vicariously through your avatar. This sounds like a fantastic way to really round out your Sim and, if executed as well as it sounds, will add another dimension to how you play The Sims.

Of course, being able to create a Sim with more depth only goes so far. You are going to want to play with your Sim in new ways, right? Well, one of the major changes in store for The Sims 3 is that you will no longer be confined to your home, making timeless trips around ?town.? This time around, your Sim will live in a neighborhood, complete with friends, co-workers, and life-long rivals. I have to imagine that the result will be something akin to SimCity meets The Sims. Will it work well? Only time will tell.

Final Thoughts

The Sims 3 is continuing the tradition of more, More, MORE in the venerable franchise. The development crew at Maxis is promising the same great gameplay that has made the series one of the best-selling of all-time while expanding your Create-A-Sim options, giving you're the opportunity to explore your whole neighborhood, and giving your Sims unique personalities. For fans of The Sims, Christmas comes in February next year.